Latest Area News Headlines

WORTHINGTON – Worthington’s Water and Light Commission on Monday approved a $250,000 allocation to help Pheasants Forever purchase a parcel of land that is located within the wellhead protection area. The total cost of the land is $850,000, which will come from various sources.

More than half of the parcel is considered vulnerable, according to WPU Manager Scott Hain. Two gravel pits will be filled in by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Hain also confirmed to the board that that the non-essential water ban put in place last fall is still in effect. There has...

WORTHINGTON – e.Republic’s Center for Digital Education has announced Minnesota West Community & Technical College placed fourth in the Digital Community College Survey, the only Minnesota college to be in the winning results for the ninth annual Digital Community Colleges Survey.

Community colleges are being recognized for their innovative uses of technology to achieve first-rate student learning environments.

“Community colleges across the country are employing technology in exciting ways to develop unique learning environments on campus and to expand online learning...

JACKSON – Judge Linda Titus will retire April 11 after being appointed to her position in Jackson County District Court in March of 1990 by Gov. Rudy Perpich. Titus was the first female judge in Minnesota’s Fifth Judicial District.

ESTHERVILLE, Iowa - An animal rights group is asking federal officials to investigate a local pork producer.

LAKEFIELD – Hussong Manufacturing, based in Lakefield, is recalling approximately 16,000 gas fireplaces and fireplace inserts due to an explosion hazard.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the main control module on the units can allow gas to be released and build up in the burner area, posing an explosion hazard. The company has received nine reports of gas being released prematurely and exploding, causing minor property damage and two reports of abrasions.

The recall affects 22 models, sold under the name Kozy Heat Fireplaces, Ambiance Fireplaces and...

WORTHINGTON – The 10th annual Worthington Bioscience conference continues today at the event center, with a planned appearance from Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, as well as key note speaker Doug Berven, vice president of corporate affairs at Poet. A panel discussion regarding lessons learned from commercializing innovation will take place, and the Worthington Middle School Science Club students will present their exhibits.

SPENCER, Iowa - The Clay County Sheriff's Office is investigating an incident in which multiple shots were fired at a pickup in Gillett Grove....

WORTHINGTON – Flames outside of a house in the 400 block of Eighth Avenue were reported by a newspaper carrier shortly after 6 a.m. Thursday morning, and the Worthington Fire Department called out. A Worthington Police Officer responding at the scene reported the fire was in an exterior doghouse, caused by a heating lamp. One truck was dispatched to the scene and was there for only a short time.

WORTHINGTON – Eleven felony and nine misdemeanor animal neglect charges have been filed in Nobles County District Court against Joan Mary Moore of rural Reading in the malnutrition death of...

WORTHINGTON – A settlement between Davis Typewriter, The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the employee involved in an emotional distress damage suit was reached Tuesday, according to the EEOC.

The former employee will receive $11,000 in damages, and the decree establishes an injunction prohibiting Davis Typewriter from permitting the creation of a sexually hostile work environment. Davis is required to take prompt corrective action when notified of sexual harassment complaints.

Additionally, the injunction requires training on employee rights as well as...

WORTHINGTON – The Nobles County Attorney’s Office has filed charges against Joan Mary Moore of rural Reading relating to the 15 dead horses discovered on her property. The Nobles County Sheriff’s Office investigated after receiving an anonymous tip last week, and found the dead animals in various states of decay. According to Sheriff Kent Wilkening, it was readily apparent the animals had died of malnourishment.

Moore faces 11 counts of felony animal neglect, with each count of the complaint addressing a separate animal. Each count alleges she neglected a horse and the animal died...

A federal appeals court has thrown out a move by the "Man in Black" to halt his sentencing for bank robbery.

Last week, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed an appeal by Sheikh Bilaal Muhammad Arafat to back out of a plea bargain he made with federal prosecutors last year.

Arafat, born Mark Edward Wetsch, admitted he held up 31 Minnesota banks over an eight-month period that ended with his January 2012 arrest after robbing the Brewster Bank. He and prosecutors struck a deal in which he would be sentenced for six robberies.

WORTHINGTON – The Worthington Police Department Emergency Response Unit has received an OSHA grant for $8,500 to be used for protective gear – vests and a ballistic shield.

These vests are high-powered and can sustain rifle shots. The ballistic shield, also called a bunker, is for the team to take cover behind for protection while searching for suspects. The new equipment should arrive within six weeks.

FULDA – A Worthington man suffered non-life threatening injuries Monday when he ran his vehicle off the road just south of Fulda at approximately 7:37 a.m. According to the...